best dynasty warriors game
You'd expect the most advancement graphically, but this is surprisingly similar to the look of the series on Xbox and even PS2. The characters are better dressed and look sharper in HD, but it'd be easy for someone to walk into the room and not think you're playing on your shiny new Xbox 360. Still, what is improved is welcome. The draw distance extends much further, and there's a much greater number of troops on the screen at once.
These things do make for smoother play than in the past, and I appreciate that. Also, slowdown is nearly eliminated. I would've liked to see more lush environments, dazzling Musou attacks and more varied soldier types, but those would've been for pure visual satisfaction and would not have helped the gameplay as much as the improvements that exist.
Speaking of gameplay, the bar for that aspect of Dynasty Warriors hasn't moved an inch in the console generation shift. You'll find a dizzy combo with your character and use it repeatedly. Musuo attacks do big damage; arrows take out far-away adversaries; and you can ride horses. Yawn. Same stuff, different cover art.
I have to say that Empire mode is one of the better things to happen to the franchise, and it works for this game as much as it did for DW 4. Pick a spot on the map to call home, and work towards securing the whole shebang. Make short-term alliances, hire new commanding officers, and build up your cash reserves. It plays like a board game and adds a much-needed strategic element to things. Dynasty Warriors 5: Empires has several more scenarios, which is good news for those who beat the lone one in DW 4:E.
Sadly, Empire mode is only joined by the generic Free mode in this game -- making it one of the thinnest in terms of longevity. Imagine how cool it would've been to allow eight-player battles over Xbox Live, with each side having four generals and a mess of drones. Nothing like that here, mang. Not even any mini-games with Live scoreboards; just two modes, and a digital paperdoll way to edit soldiers.
Co-op is finally worth playing, however. Take on any battle in the game with a partner in split-screen action. There's virtually no degradation in speed and action, making it a good deal of fun. Being near your friend has the same effect as bodyguards in other DW titles: it connects you both with an electrified line and strengthens attacks. I honestly prefer co-op to any mini-games or side modes in other DW games, as it really adds something to the package.
They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Evidently, you also can't teach an old Chinese soldier new tactics. The AI in DW 5: Empires is only a small step up from previous entries -- which is like a prospective driver only hitting three parked cars on a test when they hit four and ran over a pedestrian the last time. It may be better, but it's still a failure. On 360, some of the cloned shlubs will actually deflect some attacks every so often. This means every strike you execute isn't a gimme; only about 95% of them are. Bosses are again super tough blocking machines, though I noticed them toned down ever so much. Perhaps that's due to the fact that you're often fighting two or three lieutenants or generals at a time.
If you think the graphical improvements are a disappointment, then I urge you to mute your TV before you play this game. The cheesy J-rock guitar riffs are the same, and DW 5: Empires has some of the worst voiceovers this side of Resident Evil on the PSOne. You'll hear the same declarations over and over during a single battle, and the sound effects don't help matters much. Dolby Digital 5.1 has rarely been so unnecessary.
I've never pulled punches when it comes to Dynasty Warriors. After roughly 312 installments, I don't think I should have to. I expected much more from this series on 360 -- a savior of the franchise, if you will. I didn't get that. What I did get is some good co-op play, an extension of the Empire mode that I enjoyed a while back, and a current-gen price tag acting almost as an apology from Koei for the lack of innovation. This all makes Dynasty Warriors 5: Empires a roller coaster of emotion for the discriminating gamer, and an ultimately average experience. Whether that's worth your $40 is up to you.